When Is the Last Frost in New York?
The average last spring frost in New York falls between April 2 and May 14 for most ZIP codes, with a statewide median of May 2. At the average date a later frost is still a coin flip, so tender plants wait for the safer 90% date.
| City | Last frost | 90% safe after | First frost | Growing season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | Apr 1 | Apr 12 | Nov 19 | 233 days |
| Buffalo | Apr 24 | May 9 | Oct 26 | 183 days |
| Yonkers | Apr 20 | May 6 | Oct 26 | 189 days |
| Rochester | Apr 24 | May 8 | Oct 25 | 181 days |
| Syracuse | Apr 29 | May 13 | Oct 19 | 173 days |
| Albany | Apr 27 | May 11 | Oct 15 | 169 days |
| New Rochelle | Apr 1 | Apr 12 | Nov 16 | 230 days |
| Mount Vernon | Apr 1 | Apr 12 | Nov 16 | 230 days |
| Schenectady | Apr 27 | May 11 | Oct 15 | 169 days |
| Utica | May 1 | May 17 | Oct 13 | 164 days |
| White Plains | Apr 12 | Apr 27 | Oct 31 | 200 days |
| Hempstead | Apr 2 | Apr 16 | Nov 12 | 224 days |
| Niagara Falls | Apr 26 | May 11 | Oct 25 | 179 days |
| Binghamton | May 5 | May 21 | Oct 12 | 159 days |
| Kiryas Joel | Apr 10 | Apr 24 | Nov 1 | 204 days |
| Ithaca | May 11 | May 26 | Oct 3 | 145 days |
| Poughkeepsie | Apr 21 | May 4 | Oct 21 | 183 days |
| Rome | May 6 | May 20 | Oct 13 | 157 days |
| Saratoga Springs | May 2 | May 17 | Oct 7 | 158 days |
| Watertown | May 2 | May 17 | Oct 13 | 163 days |
| Massena | May 8 | May 23 | Oct 1 | 144 days |
Last and first frost: 50% (median) dates of the last spring and first fall 32 °F night. 90% safe after: only a 10% chance of a later spring frost. First frost dates in January fall in the following winter. Each city uses the NOAA station nearest the ZIP code closest to its center.
Across all 176 New York weather stations with frost records, median last frost dates run from March 26 at New York Laguardia AP, NY to June 2 at Saranac Rgnl AP, NY. Elevation, valleys that collect cold air and distance from large water bodies explain most of the spread, so a garden a few miles from a listed city can differ by a week or more. The ZIP code lookup above uses the same NOAA data as the frost date calculator for every US ZIP code.
When Is the First Frost in New York?
The average first fall frost in New York arrives between October 1 and November 14 for most ZIP codes, with a median of October 14. Tomatoes, peppers, basil and squash are damaged at 32 °F, so harvest or cover them before then.
Fall frost can come early: New York has a 10% chance of frost before November 6, Buffalo has a 10% chance of frost before October 10 and Yonkers has a 10% chance of frost before October 10. Hardy crops such as kale, spinach and cabbage tolerate light frosts and keep producing after the first frost date.
When to Plant Tomatoes in New York?
Transplant tomatoes in New York 1 to 2 weeks after the local average last frost, once nights stay above about 50 °F: Apr 8 – Apr 15 in New York, May 1 – May 8 in Buffalo and Apr 27 – May 4 in Yonkers. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost.
| City | Start seeds indoors | Transplant outdoors | Lowest-risk transplant |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | after Apr 12 |
| Buffalo | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 8 | after May 9 |
| Yonkers | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 4 | after May 6 |
| Rochester | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 8 | after May 8 |
| Syracuse | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 13 | after May 13 |
| Albany | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 4 – May 11 | after May 11 |
| New Rochelle | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | after Apr 12 |
| Mount Vernon | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | after Apr 12 |
| Schenectady | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 4 – May 11 | after May 11 |
| Utica | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 15 | after May 17 |
| White Plains | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | after Apr 27 |
| Hempstead | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | after Apr 16 |
| Niagara Falls | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 10 | after May 11 |
| Binghamton | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 12 – May 19 | after May 21 |
| Kiryas Joel | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 17 – Apr 24 | after Apr 24 |
| Ithaca | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 18 – May 25 | after May 26 |
| Poughkeepsie | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 5 | after May 4 |
| Rome | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | May 13 – May 20 | after May 20 |
| Saratoga Springs | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 16 | after May 17 |
| Watertown | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 16 | after May 17 |
| Massena | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 15 – May 22 | after May 23 |
Indoors: 6–8 weeks before the average last frost. Outdoors: 1–2 weeks after it. Lowest-risk: after the date with only a 10% chance of a later frost. Rules of thumb; check the 10-day forecast and wait for soil near 60 °F.
Tomatoes stall below about 50 °F at night and are killed by frost, so a week or two of waiting after the average date costs little. The tomato plant care guide covers light, watering and feeding once plants are in the ground.
What Can You Plant in New York and When?
New York's average last frost of April 1 anchors its spring planting calendar: peas and spinach go in from February 18, broccoli and lettuce transplants from March 4, and tomatoes, peppers and squash after April 8.
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outdoors | Frost tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peas | — | Feb 18 – Mar 4direct sow, 4–6 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Spinach | — | Feb 18 – Mar 11direct sow, 3–6 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Radishes | — | Feb 25 – Mar 11direct sow, 3–5 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Onions (sets) | — | Mar 4 – Mar 18plant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 4 – Mar 18plant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Broccoli & cabbage | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18transplant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Lettuce | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Mar 4 – Mar 18transplant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Beets | — | Mar 4 – Mar 18direct sow, 2–4 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Carrots | — | Mar 11 – Mar 18direct sow, 2–3 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Tomatoes | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 15transplant, 1–2 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Basil | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Peppers | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Apr 15 – Apr 22transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Eggplant | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Apr 15 – Apr 22transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Green beans | — | Apr 8 – Apr 22direct sow, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Sweet corn | — | Apr 8 – Apr 22direct sow, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Cucumbers | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | Apr 8 – Apr 22transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Squash & zucchini | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | Apr 8 – Apr 22transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Watermelon | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | Apr 15 – Apr 22transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
Dates for New York (last frost Apr 1, NOAA station NY Ave V Brooklyn, NY, 6 miles from ZIP 11213). General rules of thumb; wait for soil near 50 °F for most seeds and 60 °F for beans, corn and squash.
How Long Is the Growing Season in New York?
The frost-free growing season in New York lasts about 140 to 226 days for most ZIP codes, with a median of 164 days. Among the listed cities, Massena has the shortest season at 144 days and New York the longest at 233.
Season length decides which varieties ripen: compare it with the “days to maturity” on seed packets, counted from transplanting for tomatoes and peppers. NOAA stations in New York range from 97 days at Saranac Rgnl AP, NY to 244 days at New York Laguardia AP, NY. Planning beds before the season starts helps in short seasons — a plant spacing calculator for vegetable beds shows how many transplants fit.
What Hardiness Zones Are in New York?
New York spans USDA hardiness zones 4a to 7b, with zone 6a the most common. Zones describe winter cold and decide which perennials survive, while frost dates set when to plant annual vegetables and flowers.
The New York planting zone map with the zone of each city shows how the zones are spread across the state and which plants are hardy in all of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the last frost in New York?
- The average last spring frost in New York falls between April 2 and May 14 for most ZIP codes, with a statewide median of May 2. Among major cities it ranges from April 1 in New York to May 11 in Ithaca.
- When is the last frost in New York, New York?
- New York's average last spring frost is April 1, and by April 12 the chance of a later frost drops to 10%. Its first fall frost averages November 19, giving a 233-day growing season (NOAA station NY Ave V Brooklyn, NY).
- When should you plant tomatoes in New York?
- Transplant tomatoes in New York 1 to 2 weeks after the local average last frost, once nights stay above about 50 °F: Apr 8 – Apr 15 in New York, May 1 – May 8 in Buffalo and Apr 27 – May 4 in Yonkers. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost.
- When is the first frost in New York?
- The average first fall frost in New York arrives between October 1 and November 14 for most ZIP codes, with a median of October 14. Harvest tender crops such as tomatoes, peppers and basil before then or cover them on cold nights.
- How long is the growing season in New York?
- The frost-free growing season in New York lasts about 140 to 226 days for most ZIP codes, with a median of 164 days, from 144 days in Massena to 233 days in New York.
Frost data: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals (32 °F freeze dates by probability). ZIP code and city locations and populations: U.S. Census Bureau Gazetteer files and Vintage 2024 population estimates. Planting windows are general rules of thumb. PlantoScan is not affiliated with or endorsed by these agencies.